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Essex Automotive Products Earns QS-9000 Registration

24 July 1997

Essex Automotive Products Earns QS-9000 Registration

    FORT WAYNE, Indiana, July 24 -- Essex Group, Inc., has
announced that its Automotive Products business unit has been recommended for
registration to QS-9000, the stringent quality systems standard for suppliers
to the automobile industry.  The registration is for the entire automotive
business unit, which includes headquarters offices in Fort Wayne and a
manufacturing facility in Orleans, Ind.
    The QS-9000 standard for automotive industry suppliers was developed by
General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Corp. to combine additional
automotive requirements with the existing ISO 9000 series of standards.  In
addition, the QS-9000 certification significantly enhances the ISO 9000
standards.
    According to John S. Kiley, vice president and general manager, Automotive
Products, "The QS-9000 standard is not just a quality system, it is a complete
business system.  Our becoming recommended for certification to this standard
is proof that our internal continuous improvement process is leading us to
becoming the world-class supplier to the global automotive primary wire
marketplace.  The entire business unit team has put a great deal of effort and
commitment into this accomplishment; everyone did a great job."
    Automotive Products is a manufacturer and marketer of automotive wiring,
including primary wire, ignition wire and battery cable.  The operation's
products are sold primarily to suppliers of automotive original equipment.
    Essex Group, Inc., is a leading developer manufacturer and marketer of
electrical wire and cable products, with 1996 sales exceeding $1.3 billion.
The company's products include magnet wire for electromechanical devices such
as motors, transformers and electrical controls; building wire for commercial
and residential applications; voice and data communication wire; automotive
wire and specialty wiring assemblies for automobiles and trucks; and
industrial wire for applications in appliances, construction, recreational
vehicles and industrial facilities.  Essex has approximately 5,000 employees
and 28 North American manufacturing facilities.

SOURCE  Essex Group, Inc.